Students and teachers at Markham Bridge Primary School in Wampar Local Level Government (LLG) now have improved learning and living facilities following the official opening of a new double classroom and teachers’ house by the Huon Gulf District Development Authority (HGD-DDA).

The project was delivered under the Bottom-Up Planning (BUP) Initiative championed by Huon Gulf MP and Minister for Community Development, Youths and Religion, Jason Peter, which aims to fund and implement development priorities identified by local communities.

Speaking during the opening ceremony, Minister Peter repeated his commitment to ensuring schools across the district receive the infrastructure needed to improve access to quality education.

“Education is the foundation of our future. Every classroom we build and every teacher’s house we deliver is an investment in our children, our communities, and the future development of Huon Gulf District.”

The HGD-DDA has so far funded and delivered 48 teachers’ houses and 30 double classrooms across the district’s 64 primary schools.

The district is also supporting the establishment of junior and secondary schools, including the construction of facilities at Wampar Secondary School and Salamaua Secondary School.

Minister Peter said the district is addressing a long-standing gap in secondary education, noting that for more than five decades after Independence, Huon Gulf District did not have its own secondary school.